>>March
      2, 2001

      
Vandal men need win to get playoff berth

      
The University of Idaho men's
      basketball team finishes out the regular season with two conference
      match-ups this week. The Vandals, 3-11 in conference, need to
      pick up a league win against Pacific University March 1 or against
      UC Irvine March 3.

      


      The Vandals are sitting in the middle of a three-team brawl at
      the bottom of the Big West. Two out of the three teams will qualify
      for the Big West Conference Tournament in Anaheim, Calif., and
      the third team will be eliminated from post season play.

      


      Cal Poly and Cal State Fullerton are both sitting with three
      wins in the conference. 

      


      The UI, winners of two out of their last three conference games,
      are looking to notch at least one more victory in hopes of grabbing
      a postseason slot.

      


      There are plenty of scenarios predicting the outcome of this
      week, but if UI manages to string together two wins, it will
      almost assuredly push them ahead of Cal State Fullerton and Cal
      Poly.

      


      Pacific University is first in line for the Vandals. The Vandals
      travel to meet the Tigers after the Vandals lost a tough 62-61
      decision at home this season. 

      


      Forward Jerald Jenkins just came up short on a jumper to let
      the Tigers escape with the win. The UI will have to battle on
      the glass against the taller Pacific squad after losing the rebounding
      battle 39-27 in the last meeting.

      


      On Saturday, senior night commences against the top team in the
      Big West, UC Irvine. The Anteaters have already clinched a share
      of the Big West crown  with a 13-1 conference record and are
      led by guard Jerry Green (18.8 points per game).

      


      The Vandals will try to send senior guard Adam Miller off in
      style. Miller drilled UC Irvine for 18 points in a losing effort
      in their last match-up.

      


      The Vandals managed to hang close despite being on the road but
      the Vandal's poor field goal shooting left the squad on the bottom
      of a 65-61 final tally. The team has been shooting better with
      field goal percentages of over 40 percent in their last two victories.
      

      


      The UI, who rank third in the conference in steals per game,
      will need their tough half court defense in top gear to stave
      off the Anteaters. 

      


      Tip-off is scheduled for 7:05 Saturday in the Cowan Spectrum,
      as the Vandals wrap-up the season at home.
 

      
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